Surprise ceremonies at schools in Maryland, Texas, Ohio, Delaware, and Mississippi this past week honored five more winners of National Life’s LifeChanger of the Year award. Among those honored was the winner of the prestigious spirit award. The grand prize winner for 2017 will be revealed at the Conference of Champions next month.
On Wednesday, Nikki Blake, a sixth grade teacher at Pocomoke Middle School in Pocomoke City, Maryland was presented with the LifeChanger of the Year National Spirit Award during a school assembly.
Nikki was selected as the Spirit Award winner out of more than 720 teachers, administrators and school district employees nominated for the award from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
She was chosen for the award because of the impressive amount of support she received from the Pocomoke Middle School community, who rallied behind her LifeChanger of the Year nomination in several different ways:
• Nikki’s LifeChanger of the Year profile was shared more than 170 times on social media and was viewed over 1,100 times.
• Pocomoke Middle School not only surprised Blake with a personalized certificate and poster, but live streamed the ceremony on Facebook.
• Her school made a Youtube video in support of her nomination.
• Blake’s nominator and colleague, Dr. Brian Cook, submitted an op-ed to his local paper describing why she is a LifeChanger.
“I’m honored to be working in a community where these kinds of educators exist,” said Curtis Macomber, of Key Advisors Group, who presented Nikki with the award. “Nikki is one of the many educators who helps Pocomoke Middle School thrive. I’m excited to see how our community comes together to support her nomination.”
“Nikki carries her talents into the community by coaching, supporting, mentoring and guiding her students in efforts to help them become lifelong learners that work hard and set goals for themselves as they grow into adults,” wrote Stephanie Taylor, Blake’s former teacher. “Students remember teachers like that. You never see her without a smile on her face and an energy that is contagious. She embraces challenges and makes the most of every situation and strives to help each student to work hard and do their best every day.”
Nikki’s surprise award ceremony was also featured on WRDE Coast TV.
As the 2016-2017 Spirit Award winner, Nikki will receive a $5,000 prize, which was awarded as a $2,500 individual cash award and a $2,500 donation to Pokomoke Middle School.
During the past week, four additional school employees were also recognized with LifeChanger awards and presented with a $3,000 cash prize that was split between the winner and the school or a district organization.
Last Wednesday, Pamela Fowler, an Adapted Physical Education Facilitator and Special Olympics coach in Grand Prairie, Texas was surprised during a track and field practice.
Pamela was nominated by Dr. Rhonda Brown-Crowder, a parent of a child she coaches. In her nomination, she cited an instance where Pamela thanked her for allowing her to coach her son.
“In a world where parents of students with special needs are doing all that they can to make sure their children feel loved and are accepted by the mainstream world, that word, “allow” says it all. “Allow” speaks to your character, legacy, dedication and commitment.”
Through the peer partner programs, Pamela allows students with special needs to work with mainstream students and feel like a part of the regular curriculum. With the Special Olympics program, she allows these students the opportunity to reach higher than they ever thought imaginable, and to develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed later in life.
Last Friday, James Shelton, a Graphic Arts teacher from Forest Hills, Ohio was presented the award during a school assembly.
James’ nominator, who wishes to remain anonymous, had this to say about his accomplishments:
“In addition to pioneering the lacrosse club, Mr. Shelton worked with a fellow teacher to successfully develop new curriculum and implement the first year of a new class they created called Broadcast Journalism. The class covers cinematography, video/sound editing and film production, and it can be taken in addition to Graphic Arts. This class has already provided a deeper education and practice for students interested in related careers, as well as the opportunity to travel and submit work to city-wide award programs such as the coveted “Golden Lion Awards.”Aside from these things, Mr. Shelton has served as a representative on the district’s safety committee and participates each October in Nagel’s student vs. faculty volleyball game to raise awareness for breast cancer.”
James’ award ceremony was also featured on WLWT5. You can view the video here.
On Monday, Sargent Richard Hurt, a JROTC instructor from Cape Henlopen High School in Lewes Delaware was recognized during a school assembly. The Lewis City Mayor, Ernesto Lopez, and State Representative Steven Smyk, were both in attendance to honor Richard’s accomplishments.
Lewis Smith, Senior Relationship Manager for our Retirement Services Department presented Richard with the award.
“You are being recognized because of your extraordinary mentor ship and your commitment to helping your students thrive, years after they’ve left your program. The energy you bring to this school and to your students is infectious, and it shows. You inspire your students to aim high and to accomplish amazing feats. And those students are making a huge impact on their community. For example, your students were recently awarded the National Jefferson Award for community service for the fifth year in a row. You encourage the people around you to “courageously face life’s challenges and win.” Sergeant Hurt, I could not make up a better description of what means is to be a LifeChanger than that.”
Richard’s ceremony was also featured on WRDE Coast TV, Delaware’s local NBC affiliate. You can view the story here.
On Tuesday, Billy Carroll, a Robotics Engineering Teacher at Moss Point Career and Technical Education Center in Moss Point, Mississippi was surprised during a school board meeting.
Shannon Vincent, the school’s superintendent, and principal Durand Payton, were both in attendance to present Billy with the award.
Billy was nominated by a former colleague and friend, Nikki Cunningham.
“Mr. Carroll has been employed by the Moss Point School District(MPSD) since August 2008. It’s a Title I school district that serves 2,273 students, 96% of which qualify for free or reduced priced lunch. MPSD students face many challenges and do not have the same opportunities as other students in more affluent school districts. In spite of these challenges, Mr. Carroll has demonstrated the ability to make a beneficial difference in the lives of students, add to the development and production of a positive and nurturing school atmosphere, provide leadership within the school, perform at a professional level and adhere to high moral and ethical standards. In addition to serving as the Robotics Engineering instructor, Mr. Carroll is the founder and coach of the Moss Point STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Team. The MP STEM Team is the first academic-based team in the district, but it faces financial difficulties. To overcome this dilemma, Mr. Carroll began writing grants. Since 2012, Mr. Carroll has written and received over $53,000.00 in grants to support the Robotics Engineering program and the MP STEM Team. The funds from these grants have been used to make a beneficial difference in the lives of students.”